Helen Shultz, 83, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013.

She was born in Bradford, Pa., Nov. 8, 1924.

Helen grew up in Bradford, graduated from high school, married, and raised her family there. She worked for the telephone company for 30 years, first in Bradford and later in Warren, and Altoona, Pa. Helen and her husband, Paul, retired in Port Charlotte, in 1986. After “retiring,” she worked part-time in the Pirate’s Ketch in Punta Gorda, Fla., for a year or two; she volunteered with Guardians Ad Litem for the next 10 or 12 years, advocating for children; she read to children at the elementary school for a couple years; and she began doing stained glass work, eventually becoming an accomplished stained glass artist. Helen donated blood, bought groceries and necessities for the needy, and helped the community through the various activities of the Telephone Pioneers of Port Charlotte. She was beautiful, compassionate, feisty and fun; we miss her like crazy!

Helen is survived by her husband of 63 years, Paul Shultz; her daughter, Lise; son, Paul; her grandchildren, Bobby, Ricky, Frank, and Katie; her brothers, Tony, Sam, Orlando Arlia, all of Cleveland, Ohio, and Alfred Arlia of Bradford; her sister, Virginia Lucero of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A mass will be offered for Helen at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Port Charlotte. If you wish, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to any organization doing research on Alzheimer’s disease. Friends may visit www.robersonfh.com to sign the memory book and extend condolences to the family.

Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory, Port Charlotte Chapel.